Why Bangkok should be your next travel destination

Rich culture, savory eats, and bargain prices—it’s no surprise Thailand has been voted as one of the best countries in the world in Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Travel Awards 2017. The Land of Smiles has always been a popular destination of tourists coming from different parts of the world, with Bangkok mostly being the main gateway to the country. From the lively crowd going around the colorful streets of the Thai capital to several attractions and experiences unique to the city, Bangkok serves as the perfect introduction to every traveller wanting to get a taste of Amazing Thailand.

Thai temples: More than beautiful structures

Temples are hard to miss in Thailand and Bangkok alone boasts a fair share of the Buddhist place of worship. Known to Thai people as ‘wat,’ these temples are sacred places for most of the locals in the Buddhist-dominated country.

Tourists can experience the temples’ magnificence when they visit as long as they observe proper decorum. After all, a visit to Bangkok is incomplete without seeing at least one temple.

These beautiful structures are aplenty in the Thai capital, giving the city an awesome grandeur.  For tourists, these are some of the most popular temples to visit:

Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)

Located in the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew is considered the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND.

Considered the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand, Wat Phra Kaew or Temple of the Emerald Buddha houses the statue of Phra Phuttha Maha Mani Rattana Patimakon or the Emerald Buddha that is believed to bring good luck and protection to the Thai people.

Officially known as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, the temple is situated in the royal grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Visitors are treated to the enchanting architecture of the temple. One attraction to look forward to is the world’s longest mural painting of the epic of Ramayana.

Wat Phra Kaew is open daily from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Location: Inside the Grand Palace, Na Phralan, Phra Nakorn District, Old City (Rattanakosin), Bangkok, Thailand

Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

Wat Pho, home to the Reclining Buddha, is also popular as a massage school. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND.

Just next to the Grand Palace lies Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Officially known as Wat Prachetuphon Vimon Mangkararam, the temple is popular to tourists and locals alike for displaying the 46-meter Reclining Buddha, a sacred image of Buddha lying down before reaching nirvana or the state of enlightenment. The golden statue’s magnificence is highlighted by the details of its feet carved with sacred symbols inlaid with mother-of-pearl.   

Known as ‘the nation’s first public university,’ Wat Pho is also famous as a site for learning traditional Thai massage principles.

Wat Pho is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Location: Maharat Road, Phra Nakorn District, Old City (Rattanakosin), Bangkok, Thailand

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

A representation of the sacred Mount Meru in Buddhist cosmology, Wat Arun invites visitors with its picturesque backdrop. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND.

Because of its location along the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn is famous for being one of the most photogenic temples in Bangkok. Named after the Indian god of dawn Aruna, Wat Arun represents the sacred Mount Meru in Buddhist cosmology, which is believed to be the center of the world.

Wat Arun is open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Location: Arun Amarin Road, next to Chao Phraya River, Bangkok, Thailand

As a sign of respect, it’s important for tourists to be familiar with the proper etiquette in visiting temples. Take note of these reminders:

1. Wear proper clothing. Dress modestly and avoid donning revealing clothing like tight pants, sleeveless shirts and short pants or skirts.
2. Observe silence. Remember that temples are places of worship where people come to pray.
3. Remove your shoes before entering the public prayer hall known as viharn.
4. It’s disrespectful to point or touch sacred images such as Buddha statues.
5. Turning one’s back on Buddha is offensive—that goes for taking photos and exiting the temple. It’s best to step away while facing the image first before turning one’s back.

Tasting the flavors of Thailand

Nothing beats knowing a country through its food—and that rings true for Thailand and its flavorful cuisine. Bangkok is home to numerous local restaurants where travellers can experience the best Thai dishes. Here are the top three must-try dishes in the city:

Pad Thai

Get ready for a feast of flavors in a plate of pad Thai. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND.

Pad Thai or phat Thai is a simple but flavorful meal that is sure to wake up one’s taste buds with its dynamic combination of textures of smooth noodles and crunchy bean sprouts topped with the flavors from condiments that range from fish sauce to ground peanuts. Considered popular street food, pad Thai is easily accessible in Bangkok.

Som tam

Lao in origin, som tam became popular in Thailand with its strong taste. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND.

Originating from neighboring country Laos, som tam or green papaya salad is a must-try Thai dish. One may think this salad is sweet with green papaya being its main ingredient, but the saltiness from the fish sauce, sweetness from the palm sugar, and spiciness from the hot chili give the dish a surprisingly good twist.

Sa ta

Visitors will surely get swayed with the savory sa ta. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND.

Sa ta (pronounced ‘sah-tay’) is another savory dish that’s available anywhere in Thailand. It is grilled meat, which can be chicken, goat or pork, placed on a skewer. Sa ta is served with several seasonings and various sauces, but it is most compatible with peanut sauce, which is also known as satay sauce to locals.

When eating in Thailand, here are some table manners  to be observed:

1. Do not eat with your left hand, especially when eating sticky rice, as it is considered the ‘dirty hand.’
2. Like Pinoys, Thai people hold the spoon with the right hand and fork with the left. The spoon, however, is the only utensil you can put in your mouth, unless it’s a fruit or a food item not paired with rice.
3. Let the oldest woman in the group pick the food when ordering.
4. The noticeably wealthiest or oldest person is expected to pay for the food.

Cheap thrills in Bangkok shopping malls

Shopping in Bangkok is an adventure, thanks to its large and multi-story malls with a variety of choices ranging from cheap finds to luxurious items.

Siam Discovery

Got luxury shopping in mind? Head on down to Siam Discovery for high-end products. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND.

For high-end products, Siam Discovery is the best place to visit. Its chic and minimalist design paired with a wide selection of shops, restaurants, and designer outlets make it a go-to shopping place for affluent shoppers.

Siam Discovery is open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Location: 989 Rama I Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok

Mah Boon Krong

Mah Boon Krong or MBK is a favorite for shoppers, thanks to its affordable finds. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND.

Mah Boon Krong or simply MBK is an eight-storey building filled with affordable and good quality finds. Tagged as the “grand-daddy” of all of Bangkok’s shopping centers, MBK has 2,000 shops for anything and everything one can ask for at a budget-friendly price.

Mah Boon Krong is open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Location: Phayathai Road, Pathumwan Intersection, Bangkok, Thailand

Bargaining is an essential skill to learn before shopping in Bangkok as prices may vary depending on one’s ability to bargain with the seller. The secret to getting a good bargain? Arrive as soon as the shops open because vendors believe an early sale will grant them luck throughout the day.

Bangkok is just the gateway to the endless activities one can experience in Thailand. There are a lot of places to visit in the country and experiences waiting for travellers for a fully Amazing Thailand trip. Go to www.tourismthailand.org to make the most out of your visit!